ELIZABETHTON — Happy Valley High School Principal Terry Hubbard and some of her staff briefed the Carter County School Board on several new programs being considered for implementation into the school in the near future. The programs include a military cadet program, and soccer and tennis courts.

Deputy Scott Whitmire, the school resource officer for the school, received an ovation following his presentation of his ideas for developing a cadet program. Whitmire said it is very difficult for a school to obtain a junior ROTC program these days, but he has researched an alternative program called the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps, which provides schools an opportunity to provide a program similar to an ROTC program. The main difference is that unlike ROTC, the program is primarily funded by the host school.

Whitmire told the school board this would not be as expensive as it sounds. He said he could fill the job as instructor at no cost to the school. He would also not require the training costs. Even better, he said an anonymous donor has volunteered to pay for the uniforms of 25 cadets.

Whitmire said most of the expenses could be met through the cadets participating in fundraising activities.

Whitmire said the cadets would learn leadership and discipline in the course. He said the cadets could also be used for presenting the flag at the school’s athletic events and parades, working in the community and honoring veterans in nursing homes.

He said the program will also help students think about what they are going to do with their future.

Secondary Supervisor Danny McClain said there was “pretty significant interest” at some of the other county high schools about participating in a Happy Valley cadet program. He said a course could be instituted this coming year with a special course request, but “if we are planning to start in August, there will be some urgency.” The approval may require a special board meeting in July.

The board also heard from the high school’s wrestling and women’s soccer coach, Eddie Morrell, about a proposal to expand the soccer program and build a soccer field at Central Elementary School. There is not enough room on top of the hill at the high school for such a field. Morrell said uniforms and equipment for boys and girls teams could be obtained through fundraisers, but such items as goals, nets, corner markers and line markers may have to be purchased by the school system.

A proposal for four tennis courts is a more long rage goal for the high school Larry Brown said a suitable location was on the Happy Valley Elementary School campus. Brown told the board it would not get done this year, but he is working on the project and making requests for support. “We will make it happen,” Brown said.